CNC Programmer/Operator Salary in the United States

How much does a CNC Programmer/Operator make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a CNC Programmer/Operator in the United States is $71,609 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

However, a CNC Programmer/Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $84,307
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $64,922 to $78,255
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $58,835
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View as table View as graph 25% $64,922 10% $58,835 90% $84,307 75% $78,255 $71,609 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

CNC Programmer/Operator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $78,255 $6,521 $1,505 $38
Average $71,609 $5,967 $1,377 $34
25th Percentile $64,922 $5,410 $1,249 $31
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Key Factors That Influence CNC Programmer/Operator Salaries

A CNC Programmer/Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do CNC Programmer/Operator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract CNC Programmer/Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $79,285.
  • California: $78,985.
  • Massachusetts: $77,932.

Top Paying Cities for CNC Programmer/Operators

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $90,320
  • San Francisco: $89,432
  • Oakland: $87,449

What Skills Can Increase a CNC Programmer/Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Process Improvement (Mentioned in 1.66% Job Postings): Analyzing and improving existing processes and workflows to minimize process errors and streamline organizational efficiency.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 1.39% Job Postings): A continual improvement process, also often called a continuous improvement process (abbreviated as CIP or CI), is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once. Delivery (customer valued) processes are constantly evaluated and improved in the light of their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. Some see CIPs as a meta-process for most management systems (such as business process management, quality management, project management, and program management). W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer of the field, saw it as part of the 'system' whereby feedback from the process and customer were evaluated against organisational goals. The fact that it can be called a management process does not mean that it needs to be executed by 'management'; but rather merely that it makes decisions about the implementation of the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself.
  • Quality Control (Mentioned in 0.87% Job Postings): Developing and implementing a set of procedures intended to maintain the quality of a product and reduce any risks or errors.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Process Improvement 1.66%
Continuous Improvement 1.39%
Quality Control 0.87%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a CNC Programmer/Operator's salary.
  • Word Processing: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Production Schedule: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Word Processing
$74,473
4%
Project Management
$73,757
3%
Production Schedule
$73,757
3%
Technical Support
$73,757
3%
Decision Making
$73,757
3%
Initiative
$73,041
2%
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How Education impacts a CNC Programmer/Operator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many CNC Programmer/Operators enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a CNC Programmer/Operator with a Associate's Degree is between $73,824 and $79,150).

CNC Programmer/Operator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for CNC Programmer/Operator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.4%
High School 61.0%
Associates 22.0%
Bachelors 13.4%
Masters 1.2%
Doctorate 0.0%
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CNC Programmer/Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CNC Programmer/Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for CNC Programmer/Operator

Salaries for a CNC Programmer/Operator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $66,384 in 2023 to around $66,915 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of CNC Programmer/Operator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of CNC Programmer/Operator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$66,384
2024
$67,109
2025
$66,915
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $66,384
2024 $67,109
2025 $66,915
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for CNC Programmer/Operator

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for CNC Programmer/Operator

Here are companies hiring for CNC Programmer/Operator and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next CNC Programmer/Operator Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CNC Programmer/Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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